Related
1661] DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. 33 sence of the King
1689] DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. 165 memory, the younger Czar
136 DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. [1686 Queens hand; whereat his Majestic smileing
170 DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. [1690 delighted that he made the Boyars
1686] DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. 141 Being invited to devotion and dinner, by my Lord Chancellour
1686] DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. 163 and equity which I had on my syde
1692] DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. 179 Patrick Gordon of Cults
1690] DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. 107 their arrival was announced. Gordon was at once admitted to His Majesty
122 DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. [1686 flesh was torren out of their armes
1686] DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. 135 delivered of a daughter ; wlierefor, the King
Summary
Passages from the diary of General Patrick Gordon of Auchleuchries : A.D. 1635-A.D. 1699"
1686] DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. 135
delivered of a daughter ; wlierefor, the King", who Intended not to have
gone thither bcfor Saturneday, prepared to be gone the same day. I
thought to have gott audienee, but the suddaine departure of the Kings
hindred; wherefor I resolved to ride the next morning to VVIndsore, where
I promised to my self the better convenience. And haveing this day
heard devotion at St. Jameses, and about three a clock attended the King at
his departure, I went about my other business, and bought a sadle for eight
shillings. Gave to the servant, six pence ; and at night, eii>ht pence.
I rose early, and haveing payed the ostler for eleven nights, at the rate May 14.
of one shilling six pence for each horse per diem, and given to the ostler,
sixteen pence wages, I mounted and rode to Windsorc, through the ordinary
roade, it being deep way. A.bout ten aclock I came thither, and haveing
shifted myselt, I went to Court, and found the King walking in the Parke,
and ready to returne. His Sacred Majesty was graciously pleased to tell
to the Earl of Fewersham what I was, and then asked me if 1 had ever been
there befor, and what I thought of the place ? I answered to His Majesties
satisfaction. In goino; through the roomes. His Sacred Majesty told me
that in the eveninii- he would speake with me. So haveing heard devotion,
and seen the King dine, I went to my lodging and dined, and about four
a clock went to the Court agalne, and passed the tyme in viewing the large
and well decored roomes of the Palace, and went afterwards into the Parke,
and viewed all the walkes and conveniences of it ; this being a most de-
lightful place, and haveing a most delicate prospect. About six aclocke, the
King, with the Queen, came to walk in the Parke, accompanyed with the
Prince Georg, and after ane houres divertissement, returned. In the evening,
about sunsett, the King being in one of the great chambers, called me to a
corner of the roome, and entered in a large discourse with me, enquirelng
where, and how long, 1 had served abroad, and many other things relating
to military effaires ; to all which I answered as well as I could. He was
graciously pleased to tell me, that I should make hast to returne, and that
he would have a care of me, and do for me what he could ; which discourse
lasted above halfe ane houre, and then dismissing me, about halfe ane
houre thereafter, I seeing his Majesty going towards his closet, went, and
sitting downe on my knee, His Majesty graciously gave me his hand to
kisse. And haveing not seen any of our Scots nobility, or any acquaintance
to address me to the Queen, I begged of His Majesty the honour to kiss the
Gordon was brought up and remained a lifelong Roman Catholic, at a time when the Church was being persecuted in Scotland. At age of fifteen, he entered the Jesuit college at Braunsberg, East Prussia, then part of Poland. In 1661, after many years experiences as a soldier of fortune, he joined the Russian army under Tsar Aleksei I, and in 1665 was sent on a special mission to England. After his return, he distinguished himself in several wars against the Turks and Tatars in southern Russia. In recognition of his service he was promoted to major-general in 1678, was appointed to the high command at Kiev in 1679, and in 1683 was made lieutenant-general. In 1687 and 1689 he took part in expeditions against the Tatars in the Crimea, being made a full general. Later in 1689, a revolution broke out in Moscow, and with the troops under his command, Gordon virtually decided events in favor of Peter the Great against the Regent, Tsarevna Sophia Alekseyevna. Consequently, he was for the remainder of his life in high favor with the Tsar, who confided to him the command of his capital during his absence from Russia. In 1696, Gordon's design of a "moveable rampart" played a key role in helping the Russians take Azov. One of Gordon's convinced the Tsars to establish the first Roman Catholic church and school in Muscovy, of which he remained the main benefactor and headed the Catholic community in Russia until his death. For his services his second son James, brigadier of the Russian army, was created Count of the Holy Roman Empire in 1701. At the end of his life the Tsar, who had visited Gordon frequently during his illness, was with him when he died, and with his own hands closed his eyes. General Gordon left behind him a uniquely detailed diary of his life and times, written in English. This is preserved in manuscript in the Russian State Military Archive in Moscow. Passages from the Diary of General Patrick Gordon of Auchleuchries (1635–1699) was printed, under the editorship of Joseph Robertson, for the Spalding Club, at Aberdeen, Scotland, 1859.